HEROES Part 2: James – Brother Of Jesus

Matthew 13:55-56 

“…and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all His sisters with us?”

John 7:1-8 

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee, for He did not desire to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. And the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near. Therefore His brothers said to Him, “Move away from here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see the works that You do. For no one does anything in secret, while he himself seeks to be in public. If you do these things, reveal yourself to the world.” For His brothers did not believe in Him. Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its works are evil. You go up to this feast; I am not yet going up to this feast; for My time is not yet fulfilled.”

Mark 3:21 

And hearing, those with Him went out to take hold of Him; for they said, “He is insane.”

Mark 3:31-35

Then His brothers and His mother came. And standing outside, they sent to

Him, calling Him. And the crowd sat about Him, and they said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking for You.” And He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?” And He looked around on those who sat about Him, and said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God, the same is My brother and My sister and My mother.”

1 Corinthians 15:4-7 

…and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures; and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the Twelve. Afterward He was seen by over five hundred brothers at once, of whom the greater part remain until this present day, but also some fell asleep. Afterward He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.

Acts 1:14 

These all were continuing with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Galatians 1:18-19 

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and stayed with

him fifteen days. But I saw no other of the apostles, except James the Lord’s brother.1. Don’t just hear the Word, Do it

James 1:22-25 

But become doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man studying his natural face in a mirror. For he studied himself and went his way, and immediately he forgot what he was like. But whoever looks into the perfect Law of liberty and continues in it, he is not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work. This one shall be blessed in his doing.

2. Don’t be Prejudiced

James 2:1-9 

My dear brothers and sisters, fellow believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ—how could we say that we have faith in him and yet we favor one group of people above another? Suppose an influential man comes into your worship meeting wearing gold rings and expensive clothing, and also a homeless man in shabby clothes comes in. If you show special attention to the rich man in expensive clothes and say, “Here’s a seat of honor for you right up front!” but you turn and say to the poor beggar dressed in rags, “You can stand over here,” or “Sit over there on the floor in the back,” then you’ve demonstrated gross prejudice among yourselves and used evil standards of judgment! So listen carefully, my dear brothers and sisters, hasn’t God chosen the poor in the world’s eyes to be those who are rich in faith? And won’t they be the heirs of the kingdom-realm he promised to those who love him? But yet you insult and shun the poor in your efforts to impress the rich! Isn’t it the wealthy who exploit you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the very ones who blaspheme the beautiful name of the One you now belong to? Your calling is to fulfill the royal law of love as given to us in this Scripture: “You must love and value your neighbor as you love and value yourself!” For keeping this law is the noble way to live. But when you show prejudice you commit sin and you violate this royal law of love!

3. Watch your mouth

James 3:5 

Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. Behold how little a fire kindles how large a forest!

James 3:9-12 

By this we bless God, even the Father. And by this we curse men, who have come into being according to the image of God. Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a fountain send forth at the same hole the sweet and the bitter? Can the fig tree, my brothers, bear olive berries; or a vine, figs? So no fountain can yield both saltwater and fresh.

James 4:10-12 

Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. Don’t bad-mouth each other, friends. It’s God’s Word, His Message, His Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You’re supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?